The Drums of War

By Michael Ward

London 1642

The King has fled London with the drums of war ringing in his ears. Across the country, lines are being drawn and armies raised.

Influential royalist Lady Carlisle switches sides and presses spice trader Thomas Tallant and his partner Elizabeth Seymour into Parliament's service. Soon Tom faces double-dealing in his hunt for a lethal hoard of gunpowder hidden on the river, while Elizabeth races against time to foil a hidden sniper picking off Parliamentary officers in the city.

Chaos breeds opportunity. A vicious gang of jewel thieves go on the rampage, smashing homes and shops, leaving destruction in their wake. They hand-pick their targets but refrain from selling any of their loot. Always, more questions than answers.

Finally, the storm of war breaks. Elizabeth is caught in the brutalising carnage of Edgehill while Thomas joins the Trained Bands manning the barricades at Brentford, where the future of London rests in the hands of a few hundred troopers.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth risks all to track down the jewel thief and his priceless hoard.

But all is not as it seems.

'Michael Ward's novels are meticulously researched and elegantly written, a creative blend of history and thriller, set around the engaging character of 17th century spice merchant Thomas Tallant.'

ALEX GERLIS

bestselling author of historical espionage thrillers

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1999340434
• ISBN13: 9781999340438
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Burnaby Press
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"